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Rushup Edge – Positive News?

2 years ago, Derbyshire County Council began surfacing works on a trail at Rushup Edge (DCC call this Chapel-en-le-Frith Byway), which were not well accepted by user groups and the local community – mountain bikers included! Works were paused and we’ve not really heard much since. Until now!

Rushup Edge (photo Simon McIntyre)

Rushup Edge (photo Simon McIntyre)

The folks at Peak District MTB have been steadily plugging away, pushing Derbyshire County Council for proper consultation and it now seems that their efforts may well have been worthwhile! DCC have recently posted on their website with some updated plans and a link to an online survey as consultation.

The plans look positive in a way, but experience leads us to be a little wary of getting excited too quickly. Mention is made of using Roych Clough as an example, along with leaving some exposed bedrock rather that surfacing over everything. No detail is given however, so it’s difficult to know just how sensitive the work will be. It does look to be a step in the right direction.

We’d like to see more detailed proposals published, ideally with minimum surfacing work and a sensitive approach. Without this, it’s hard to know if DCC are merely waffling before they carry on much as originally intended.